Results Volta ao Algarve 2026 | Juan Ayuso wins Volta ao Algarve with convincing triumph on the Alto do Malhão

Stage 5 of the Volta ao Algarve is always a difficult day as the peloton goes through the Alto do Malhão and the surrounding hills; but Lidl-Trek has done a perfect job. The team protected Juan Ayuso is a stage that was attacked hard; and the Spaniard sealed the overall win with a stage win atop the summit finish.

The stage was, as every year, having a very fast start as the sprinters and classics riders who had already battled for results earlier in the race now had freedom, and proper roads to test their form ahead of the big spring races.

Hence, a luxury breakaway was formed including Julian Alaphilippe, Max Schachmann, Jan Tratnik, Luca van Boven and Tobias Bayer. From these, Alaphilippe and Schachmann moved to the front on the first ascent of the 2.6-kilometer long Alto do Malhão. Almeida pushed the pace and split the GC group completely, to a point where only four riders managed to follow him. But without collaboration, the pace slowed down; and right after the climb Florian Lipowitz and Kévin Vauquelin attacked right as they joined the GC group.

Lipowitz and Vauquelin joined Alaphilippe out in front, who had been since isolated due to a crash from Schachmann in the hilly approach to the finish. Lidl-Trek had the firepower to control the duo, which did threaten the overall classification as the Frenchman specially was less than a minute away from the yellow jersey.

But the work behind was indeed strong, and the move was put under control. The duo was caught at the very base of the final climb. UAE took up the pace straight away, and João Almeida hit the front close to the start of the climb, trying to burn out his rivals quickly. A few riders followed, the key men. Matthew Riccitello hit the front then with 1 kilometer to go to launch Paul Seixas who was perhaps the main favourite, but a man who had the overall classification in mind.

Seixas hit the front but when it became clear that gaps weren't opening, a sprint was then the obvious scenario that would decide the stage win. Juan Ayuso and Oscar Onley led the group side by side, and the Briton launched his move first. However, Ayuso had the upper hand, and sprinted to stage victory in the yellow jersey, which also confirmed his overall triumph. Seixas was third.